Kitten Freed After Getting Stuck In Van

ELK GROVE, Calif., 10:59 a.m. PST December 4, 2003 - Elk Grove firefighters responded to a "stuck cat" call Wednesday, but this cat wasn't up a tree, it was in the front end of a car.

The cat got stuck in the front suspension of Andrea Ventura's Ford Aerostar van, which was parked in a shopping center parking lot.

"I was in Bath and Body Works and seen this little kitten run up into my engine," Ventura said.

Fire crews arrived and tried to entice the cat out without success.

"It appears that the cat is caught up underneath the axle and the engine. We've tried working our way through it for 45 minutes ... we're not going to get it out. We're going to have to dismantle part of the car," Elk Grove Fire Department Capt. Jim Mackensen said.

The van was finally towed to the service department at nearby Elk Grove Ford.

"She's crawled up into the a-frame in the control arm ... we're going to get a couple of guys to pull this down so we can get the cat out," Elk Grove Ford spokesman Dave Bright said.

Three hours later, a very frightened and dirty kitten was pulled from the front end of the vehicle.

Ventura said she's going to adopt the cat and will name it "Aerostar."

The rescue cost Ventura nothing -- the towing company and Elk Grove Ford donated their time and equipment.

Rest In Peace Casey (Bubba Dude) Your paw print will remain on my heart forever. 12/02
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Aww -- Little Aerostar went to a lot of trouble to pick her furrever meowmie - guess she REALLY wanted to be with her! I love happy endings too.

Little Ms. Mitzi Mitts
Our Photo Albums are Here and Here
In memory of my beloved fur children, Goldie, Mishi and Mitzi.
Rest in peace and play hard at the Rainbow Bridge.
Goldie: 9/5/88 - 4/10/03
Mishi: with us from 5/5/03 - 7/13/07
Mitzi: with us from 4/19/03 - 1/23/10

THIS was just the sweetest story!! I love that the truck company and wrecker plus the fire department all worked together for no charge and that the lady will adopt Aerostar!! What a great Christmas time story to read!! I wish Aerostar's meowmie was on this forum - woudn't that be fun?? To keep up with him?? That was great to read about. Thanks for posting it, Tonya!

Cat stuck in Van

AWWWWWWWWW what a sad and sweet story!!! How nice of all those people to help save the kitty!! The firemen, wrecker service, and mechanics!! And the nice lady is going to adopt her as well!!

Oh what a Merry Christmas for little Aerostar!!!

Thanks for this story, it sure has brightend my evening!

Well Here is an Update for Aerostar the cat. My Name is Jim and I was the primary Mechanic at Elk Grove Ford that Freed the Kitten from the van, My 6yr old Son was upset that I didnt bring him home and we saw The local News clip on him and me holding him in the towels. Aerostar as she called him. was returned the next day to the Ford Dealer because her own cats didnt like him. She called me and asked if I still wanted him, So I took him home, My Wife fell in love with him and my Son re-named him Travis. He is still a member of this family as several other cats we have rescued since Travis and Fiona (she was rescued 2 months prior).